'Coercive Control' outlawed

[CogitOIOIO]

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-30532087

Devil is in the detail and it's going to require quite a few test cases, but I think having this on the statute books should give hope to victims of non-physically violent abuse. Now if we can just get around the thorny problem of needing the victim to testify and give the police the power to prosecute regardless, that would be excellent.

This is great because even if it doesn't result in many prosecutions, it will make people aware that this behaviour is wrong. I wish the legislation had been in place when I was in a coercive controlling relationship, because I didn't know it was wrong.

Just seen a report on BBC 1 o'clock news that totally missed the point. The introduction was all about non-violent abuse and the filmed report was all about violence. Rubbish.

No attempt to explain more subtle forms of abuse and just reverted to the usual stories of broken bottles and being pushed downstairs by an abusive partner (Of course these stories do need telling, I absolutely concur with that, but this was on a headline about 'coercive control'). How is anyone going to get this if even the BBC social affairs reporters don't actually get it. Nomia Iqbal, be ashamed of yourself!

And of course they featured two case studies - a woman and (you've guessed it) a man, because of course, as any fule kno, domestic violence is 50/50 on the gender split. Grrrrrrr!

Yes, it could be like the new proposed legislation outlawing smoking in cars with children i.e. not many actual prosecutions but a clear message that the behaviour is not acceptable. If the Coercive Control law helps someone get from 'is this normal?', to knowing it's illegal, to feeling entitled to ask for help, it might even save lives. As the recent Panorama prog (spookily prescient with the timing there BBC.. :) ) pointed out, even in relationships where violence is not a factor, those that featured coercive control often result in homicide.

@Poppyfield.... I feel a 'Cog Special' letter to the Beeb may be in order.... Physical DV is a terrible problem, shouldn't happen, but at least it has a certain visibility and 'man on the Clapham Omnibus' understanding. Non-Physical Domestic Abuse IMHO is arguably more prevalent, much less well understood and causes a different but very serious type of damage.

Yes the behaviour is not acceptable and it isn't the fault of the abuser's partner, it's their fault and it's a crime.

Oooh I like the idea of a 'Cog Special'. Normal Cog is pretty marvellous.